July is Here by Karen Whiddon

 It's officially July and almost Independence Day.  I'm not going to lie - 2021 has been a rough year for me.  But in the end, the good always outweighs the bad.  I can't ask for more than that.  

One of the constants in my life is writing.  I've cut back my production a bit to three books per year instead of four and that's made my job less stressful.  And this month - THIS MONTH - my next Harlequin Romantic Suspense Texas Sheriff's Deadly Mission comes out!  July 27th for Kindle, though you can pre-order it if you're so inclined.  

Pre-order or Buy Here

I'm excited about this book, as its the first of several set in the fiction town of Getaway, Texas! 

I really enjoyed writing it and I hope you enjoy reading it too!

It's Raining Reviews by Nora LeDuc #RomanceGems

This month my April Showers brought me flowers and snow. What do I really want the rain to bring? As an author, I thought hard about this question and came up with an answer. I'd love to be showered with wonderful REVIEWS! Yes, forgive me if I'm wrong, but they seem to be every writer's dream. (Besides a hero to die for.)

So I wondered, how long have these mini critiques of our works been around? A quick Google search revealed a 1846 comment by Edgar Allen Poe that answered my question. Mr. Poe believed reviews (and the publishing industry)"were a sham and riddled with nepotism." But I'll jump ahead a few centuries to my first memories of a magazine containing tons of romance reviews. Can you guess the name? Yes, I mean the Romantic Times (RT). 

 Created in 1981 by Kathryn Falk, the RT was originally a newsletter. Ms. Falk's first edition took nine months to create and was distributed to 3,000 subscribers. The premier edition contained a Book Excerpt from China Bride, an Author Interview with Janet Dailey, New Titles for Summer Reading, and a piece titled “What your favorite Novels Reveal about your Personality.” I loved the RT. I would read it cover to cover, searching for those great stories, reading about authors I knew only by their pen names, and pages of recommendations listed by category. And I was not alone. 

Thanks Unsplash

By 2004, the magazine reportedly had 50,000 subscribers and had built a reputation as “Romance's premiere genre magazine.” (A good friend of mine collected each copy and stored them in her bookcase.) I would go to the New England RWA Chapter meetings where a woman from a bookstore always dropped by and sold copies to anyone who hadn’t bought theirs yet. I knew an author who even secretly reviewed for them–– of course under another name. As times changed, the RT did too. In later years the magazine went digital until it ended in 2018 with Kathryn Falk’s retirement. I still miss it.

Today we have many review book blogs, tours, and more. But thanks to Ms. Falk’s imagination, marketing skills, and the authors who wrote the stories, we enjoyed a shower of reviews between the glossy covers to help us daydream our forever happy endings. 

And today, I’m reminding you. Don’t forget to shower your favorite authors with those dream comments. They’ll be forever thankful. 

  Take care my friends.

  🌷Nora LeDuc ❤️ 

DON'T FORGET~

AMAZON   FACEBOOK   TWITTER    BOOKBUB   GOODREADS

Shower me with Diamonds! by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

There's an old song called Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend written by L. Robin and J. Styne. At its heart the song is a cautionary tale to young women about providing for themselves as they age. The idea is that men move on and leave you flat, or go back to their wives, or find a new model. However you slice it, diamonds will always take care of you so you need to grab them while you can.

This is the antithesis of romantic love. The idea that love and commitment are for sale and the currency is diamonds (the hardest stone) is sad. Don't you think?

My romance Diamond at Heart explores different kinds of love: familial, twisted, and the forever kind that flows from one generation to the next. 

The book starts with a murder and a terrible bargain between victim and murderer. I know, I know...I always say I don't write murder. But I did and that murder is solved decades later. 

And today Diamond at Heart is free to read. Here's a little more to whet your interest...

Someone’s watching her…and Tawny James is sick of it. There’s only one person she can turn to for help: her ex-boss, the last man on earth she wants to see again.

Private security consultant Stack Hamilton gets the call he’s wanted for months from ex-employee Tawny James. But it isn’t the “sorry I ran out on you” call he deserves. The beauty who hides her assets under the ugliest clothes he’s ever seen has a stalker and needs his help.

There’s nothing Stack won’t do for the woman he misses. Every. Single. Day. 

Together, and on fire for each other, they learn Tawny’s current problem is connected to a mob murder from the past. Possessive violence has damaged the James women for generations and Tawny is determined not to make the same mistakes with men her mother and showgirl grandmother made.

But she can’t keep her hands off Stack Hamilton and knows she won’t survive this stalking episode with her heart intact.

And Stack will do anything to keep Tawny safe. Everything but let her go again.

I am in the throes of moving this book from being a Kindle exclusive title to making it available on Apple, Nook and Kobo. (and more) This means nothing if you grab your copy now, but once the move is made the book will not be free again. (no pressure, but ...)

Bonnie Edwards has been writing all her life, starting with a poem about Santa suffering with gout. She was seven, Santa was a thousandteen years old. Delighted with writing, she went on to write family sagas, humorous contemporary romance, romantic suspense, erotic paranormal ghost romances and more. She may jump around within romance, but all her stories come with a tear, a laugh, and a happy ending. Published by Kensington Books, Harlequin Books, Carina Press, and Robinson (UK) Bonnie’s stories stretch from short stories to novellas and novels. Now, she's happy to be publishing her work herself. With over 30 titles to her credit, she has been translated into several languages and sold books worldwide. Aside from standalone romances, she has 4 ongoing romance series, Tales of Perdition, The Brantons, and Love at Christmas. Contemporary family sagas find a home in Return to Welcome. She's hard at work on a brand new series coming in summer 2021. Learn about more exciting releases and get a free romance by subscribing to her newsletter, Bonnie’s Newsy Bits

 Website BookBub Amazon Facebook Twitter

Cheers and happy reading!

Bonnie Edwards

April 3, 2021 by Karen Whiddon

 It's finally here!  April, and the month my 50th Harlequin book is out!  Look, look!  

 

Please excuse my excitement, but it seems like just yesterday when my 25th book was out.  I couldn't attend the Harlequin party at Romance Writers of America's national conference, so they mailed my pen to me.  I told my husband no matter what, I planned to attend for my 50th.  Then came Covid and no conferences and....  Well, I guess they'll mail me whatever you get for 50 books, lol.

I love this story, I love the cover, and I truly enjoyed working again with my wonderful editor Patience Bloom.  I adore writing in the Colton's continuity too.  

If you'd like to purchase this book, you can do so here Amazon    I really appreciate your support. 

The More Things Change... 5 Things I Miss Right Now by @MaddieJames

Lately things seem to be all about changing—even while staying the same.

I say that because there hasn't been much new going on in my life during this age of Covid. I've followed all the safety guidelines, limited my social contacts, and lived/worked within my bubble for oh...about five months now. Each day is pretty much the same. I rise, write, market my books, garden, cook, clean, and if I'm lucky, maybe write some more.

So, it’s same-old/same-old every day. And that, in and of itself, is a change. 

Things I miss doing though:

• Browsing a store like Home Depot or Sam’s Club. I haven’t been in either of those stores since the panic began.
• Grocery shopping. I’ve been inside my Kroger store once since May. I long to pick out my own vegetables and choose my own packages of meat. 
• Seeing my children and grandchildren. They live a state away. And they have active lives. Since I care for my elderly father, I worry about bringing the darned virus back to him should I visit them, and vice versa. 
• An occasional dinner out. Since we’ve graduated to take-out, we have enjoyed some meals from our favorite restaurants, but wouldn’t it be nice to linger again over a meal and have actual dinner conversations? 
• Traveling. As much as I hate to admit it—because for years I traveled so much for my day job and for the longest time, didn’t care if I ever saw an airport or hotel lobby again—I’m getting itchy travel feet. I find myself thinking about that drive I’ve been wanting to take through New England, or a long weekend at my favorite beach. And then I stop myself. 

Maybe subconsciously, I’m longing for change.

But fall is approaching. And to me, fall always signifies change. New beginnings. Fresh starts. As a student and then a teacher for many years, September and a new school year was a chance to start over—you know, new clothes, new shoes, new pencil box. I guess I've never shaken that sentiment, even though I haven't stepped into a classroom for some time. 

Click image for Giveaway link! 

Still, I’ll take advantage of the seasonal attitude change and spruce up my life a bit. My garden is waning. I have some tomatoes left to ripen, and some turnips nearly ready to eat. Soon, it will be time to put the garden to bed until spring. The yard needs some attention too—flower beds need cleaning out, and I need to create a few new beds where I had some shrubbery removed a few weeks ago.

In the meantime, I'll also give the house a good fall cleaning, and perhaps throw a few coats of paint on some furniture I’ve been threatening to upcycle. I’ll break out my cowgirl boots (ahem, all 9 pair...) and give them a good polishing before winter and begin thinking about retiring my flipflops (maybe). Probably wouldn’t hurt to wash some windows, too.

As much as things stay the same, we often need change—and change can be good—even if we make the change happen ourselves. I'm grateful for the cool mornings and pleasant afternoons lately. Later, I'll be happy to exchange mowing the yard for salting the front porch steps. I love fall, and I don't mind winter. I'll just hole up and write more.

In my book, SAFE HAVEN, Rebecca McCauley goes through a number of life changes. She returns home after years away and works on healing herself from her past. She's not the only one, she discovers, when Collin Kramer bursts into her life. 

A recent Amazon reviewer had this to say about SAFE HAVEN.

"There's lots of anguish, danger and suspense in their story. The losses they suffer only bring them closer together, which escalates the attacks against them. I had a hard time putting the book down until it was done. I thoroughly enjoyed the story."

Rebekah McCauley is back home after ten long years of living and working in New York City. She left the Big Apple under circumstances she’d rather not share with her family—not yet, anyway—and wants time to heal and recover from the mess she’s made of her life. Luckily, her grandparents’ Kentucky bluegrass farm, Wind Ridge, provides the safe haven she craves and the solitude she needs to heal.

Collin Kramer, the foxhunter next door, seems determined to infiltrate her peace and invade her safe haven—not only with his noisy hounds running amok over her land, but with his Alpha male, take-charge attitude running roughshod over her wounded heart.

But as Bekah softens to Collin’s conquest, Collin realizes his own toughened heart needs mending. And just when he thinks he has that conquered, as well, all hell breaks loose. Poisoned horses, a gutted hound, and a barn fire are only the beginning. When Bekah’s farmhouse burns to the ground too, they know someone is serious about destroying their lives. But who?

Whose past, Bekah’s or Collin’s, has come back to haunt them?

You can find SAFE HAVEN at all ebook retailers by CLICKING HERE. 

And before I leave you, don't forget about our Last Chance Beach: Summer's End box set! Grab yours now, before summer ends....

****

Maddie James writes to silence the people in her head... 

Visit her at www.maddiejames.net. 

Book Birthday! Rayder's Appeal by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

This isn't my normal blogging day on Romance Gems and I have Liz Flaherty to thank for switching with me, but I've got special news to share:

Today I'm pleased to announce that the fourth book in my series The Brantons is finally available! Rayder Cole is from a darker, unsavory branch of the Branton family. Undeniably sexy, Rayder once used his appeal to finesse his way into Ellie Macklin's heart...and her bed. Tsk tsk!

And in keeping with this month's theme of Steamy Days and Steamy Nights...Rayder's Appeal has the steam!

I'm old enough to have enjoyed the TV series Remington Steele in the 1980s. The show starred Pierce Brosnan (be still my heart - the man gets better with time!) and Stephanie Zimbalist. You were never really sure if Remington was up to his old con man tricks or not.

I bring that same dynamic to Rayder's Appeal. At least, I hope I did. If you read it, feel free to review and let me know!

~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Available everywhere fine romances are sold!

What can a reformed con man do when the woman who changed his life needs his help? Eleanor Macklin has overcome her past and repaired the damage done by her first, and only, love. She has all she’s ever wanted, her family’s art gallery. If she’s not as spontaneous, or giving, or loving as she once was, well… that’s a life lesson she learned the hard way from a master of deceit. And trust is a thing of the past…

Rayder Cole has stumbled on a plot to forge stolen art that could ruin Ellie Macklin’s art gallery. He must get the forgery back before Ellie’s life is in ruins. He’s done enough damage to the only woman he’s ever loved, and now, he’s back to save what Ellie’s worked hard to build.

If Eleanor doesn’t take a chance on Rayder, she’ll lose everything. But trust lost is almost impossible to regain.

While the race is on to find the forger, Rayder’s appeal begins to work its magic again and Eleanor hates that she still finds him sexy. Rayder’s determined to reclaim the woman who stole his heart before he even knew he had one…

This is the end of the month and so it is the last day to enter our Monthly Giveaway



And all of us here on Romance Gems are so excited to talk about Last Chance Beach: Summer's End. You can learn all about it here on our dedicated page. Don't forget to pre-order because you'll want it first thing in the morning on August 4!

And I'm not done yet! The authors of Last Chance Beach have concocted a recipe book of special beverages that's yours free: You can get your copy here: Cocktails on Last Chance Beach

For now, happy reading! And please drink responsibly. Cheers!

Bonnie Edwards

July's Steamy nights are busy! by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

July nights are certainly steamy...and the days stretch clear and lovely ahead of us. Walks on the beach are allowed! We can safely distance from each other where I live, so we're heading out often to enjoy the shells, the tide pools, and the salty breezes. I hope you find yourselves a secluded spot to enjoy the best that July has to offer.

I've been exceptionally busy lately with some secret projects of my own. Effective now, some of my titles are available more widely.

Find Body Work Here

Find Slow Hand Here


Very Sexy Beach Read!

Hot and Steamy Second Chance!

Find Whole Lot o' Love Here

Warm, secret baby second chance romance!

All of this uploading and republishing is to support my next release, Rayder's Appeal, which is the fourth installment of this series. Rayder Cole comes from a totally different branch of the family, a darker, more criminal branch. But, naturally he's totally reformed. Sort of the way Remington Steele was reformed. Honest.

Rayder's Appeal is a romantic suspense with a second chance romance.

What'a reformed con man to do when the woman he loved needs his help?

You can pre-order Rayder's Appeal here for your e-reader. It lands on July 31! Check it out and tell me what you think of this cover!

Two lucky commenters will receive an e-copy of Body Work just by commenting with their email address! Happy reading!

Don't forget to enter our Monthly Giveaway too!

Happy Reading and if you're curious about Last Chance Beach...stay tuned!

What's In a Name? by Laura Hunsaker

When I first started writing as a teen, I picked my crush's name, or my best friends' names for my stories. As I matured I realized I can't obviously name each hero after my crushes, or really, after people I know. But since my first book was a Scottish Romance, I needed a name that wasn't Brett, or Justin, or Logan. So I scoured census lists, archives, historical documents, you get the idea. I came up with common and true to the time names. I think that's why we see so many similar names in Scottish Romances.

But lately, I've been writing Contemporary Romantic Suspense and Hockey Romances, and I can have more freedom. Hello Jaxxon! But one thing I've noticed is that in many contemporary romances, the hero is in his thirties and his name is Aidan, Ryder, Stryker, or Jaxxon (yep, even I got caught up!), or some other name that on Twitter we've dubbed "Romance Hero Names." I love all of those names, but I teach kindergarten in my day-job, and when I have a 5 year old in my class who has the same name as my hero, it pulls me out of the story. The age feels wrong.

I tried really hard to make all the heroes in their thirties have names that I remember from high school. In fact, I had two Kyles! Oops! But I wanted a 38 year old hero to have a name that would have been popular in 1981, not 2020.

So where are all the Chrises, the Jasons, the Scotts? Where are the Tiffanys and Brittanys?

So now I turn it over to you? Do you have a favorite Romance Hero Name? Do you even notice if a name feels too trendy for a thirty-something year old?

Don't forget to enter the monthly giveaway!

And in the spirit of hero names, check out my latest book Dark Past with a hero named Kyle and a heroine named Kate.

Amazon  |   Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo  |  Google Play Books  |  Smashwords

The small town was supposed to be safe...

Kate Landry is tired of running. Thinking she's safe, she settles in the small logging town of Chester, California to manage a cafe. She may be keeping a low profile, but she's hoping to return to a normal life.
When FBI agent Kyle Donovan visits to Chester to stay with a friend, and to recover from his latest case, he never expects to meet sexy barista Kate.

But someone is following Kate...

Kyle worries he brought trouble to her door, while Kate worries her dark past is coming after her.
With danger lurking around every corner, her safe haven isn't as safe as she'd thought. Kate will finally have to trust someone enough to tell him her secrets. Secrets that may just get them killed...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Little Bit of Bloomin' Luck by Nora LeDuc #RomanceGems

I'm a fortunate person. No doubt about it. After graduating from college, I rethought my career choice. While pondering, I decided to take a teacher's aide position in Brattleboro, Vermont. I had one acquaintance in the town. She gave me the number of a local dentist who had a great apartment for rent. So sight unseen, I took it, thinking I'd be like Mary Tyler Moore (MTM). I'd make it on my own.

Brattleboro

I quickly found out that I'd rented a third floor, two-room attic space and wasn't a clone of MTM but of her unlucky in-love sidekick, Rhoda Morganstern. I earned $200 a month. My rent was $100. I stretched my check to pay my electric bill, my groceries, and a little entertainment. I had no car, cable, or phone since they would be too expensive. Internet was in the future. But I enjoyed working with the kids and had landed in a hip town. If you're familiar with Bratt, you know this is true. Main Street is composed of unique stores. An artsy vibe permeates the atmosphere. I was there for the opening of one of the first vegetarian restaurants. When people visited, this is where we ate. They loved it. We sat at community tables. Large potted plants decorated the corners. Waiters with long hair (the style then) waited on us with a smile. Throw in the night life of bands and dancing, the downtown movie theater, with cheap rates, a beautiful library, and all was good.

My downstairs neighbors were a couple from New York. They often invited me to watch TV with them. They also introduced me to a handsome, six-foot young man. He'd recently moved to Brattleboro and was waiting for his rental to open up. Our first official date was at the Winter Carnival. We cheered for the ski racers and jumpers on Harris Hill. We've been together ever since. 

Often I wonder what if I hadn't taken that job, or if I hadn't moved out of state, or if I hadn't rented the attic nook? Sometimes, My Friends, you take the path with the curve in the road, and you are blessed with luck.


Please stay safe. If you're feeling lonely, I'm on Facebook. I would love to hear from you! And keep reading.
Love, Nora

***

I
I'm giving away two free e-copies of Trail of Secrets. The heroine Mia McGuire is down on her luck, but that changes when she meets the hero Lucas Davis. Simply email me noraleduc at yahoo dot com with Free in the subject.

Also enter our Rafflecopter on our Monthly Giveaway page. This might be your lucky month. Here's our Quicklink if you're in a hurry. Take care and see you next month!

How Lucky Am I? by Karen Kelley #RomanceGems

I sometimes wonder if reincarnation is real. Have you ever met someone and you could swear that you’d met them before?

I’ve been lucky in love. Maybe I didn’t get a feeling that I’d met Karl before in another life, but I knew we would get married someday. 

I’ve had these premonitions before. That something good, or bad, was about to happen. I’m usually right about 80% of the time. This time, I was right. About a year later, we did get married. This year we’ll celebrate 51 years of marriage. Wow, it doesn’t seem that long.

People ask what our secret is and I tell them we always treat each other like best friends. Would you yell at your best friend? 

We also encourage each other. When I went to nursing school, he not only told me I could do anything I set my mind to doing, he also helped me study. (I finished fifth in my class) Then, when I wanted to write, he encouraged me again. When I decided to go Indie with my books, he became my publisher, cover designer, formatter, ad creator, beta reader, and my number one fan.

I’ve definitely been lucky in love.

Most of my books are available in Kindle Unlimited. I’m currently writing Romantic Suspense, but I also write contemporary comedy and paranormal. Most of my heroines are snarky and sassy because I think I absorbed some of Karl’s personality over the years. Believe me, he’s a lot of fun to be around.

                                                    Read for free in KU or purchase here

You can find out more about my books at www.authorkarenkelley.com Have a great weekend and stay safe!

Speaking of luck, don't forget to hop on over to our Monthly Giveaway page to enter our Rafflecopter contest. If you're in a rush to get to the pot of gold you can also click on this Quick Link.

Karen Kelley 

Oops UPS by Karen Kelley

Our daughter-in-law, son, and grandson sent us the prettiest flowers and box of goodies for Valentines Day. Apparently, UPS was swamped because we got a new driver that was not familiar with our area. One of the neighbors at the top of the hill got the first package (maybe). All I know is we never saw it. Bummer.

But what fun to get it today! A brand new package with exotic tulips that will bloom in a few days (I hope. I don't have a green thumb), a box of specialty candy, candle, pen and pretty notebook and other fun stuff. I love boxes with goodies.

Speaking of goodies, my brand new, first Romantic Suspense in a while, is available. I always get nervous when I have a new book out, but so far the feedback has been really good. The story features a hot sheriff and a sassy FBI agent, and she definitely invades his territory. Check out the excerpt:

Broken Justice:
 

Makala sat a little straighter in her chair as Gage nodded to Landry, then came inside. She wasn't up to seeing the sheriff again. She'd wanted to unwind a little, then maybe she would be able to get a few hours of shut-eye. She said a silent prayer he wouldn’t notice her. Yeah, right. The restaurant wasn't that big. Even if it was dimly lit, he would notice her sooner or later.

He didn’t look in her direction as he made his way to the bar, so she was able to study him. His stride was purposeful, as if he didn’t take unnecessary steps without a reason. As he walked, he pushed his Stetson a little higher on his forehead.

He needed a shave—or not. The slight bristle of hairs on his face gave him a ruggedness that suited him. His dark hair was a little too long as well. Just brushing his collar. He had broad shoulders. She’d bet there were plenty of muscles under his beige uniform shirt. He didn’t strike her as the type who sat behind a desk all day. She guessed him at six feet one, maybe an inch or so more.

Her gaze lowered. She liked the way his jeans fit. Snug, low on the waist. She sighed. And there was just something about a man who wore a holstered gun on his hip — damned sexy.

He spoke with the bartender, then took the glass of Coke the man handed him, dropping bills on the counter. He turned and scanned the room, his gaze stopping on her. One thing she could be sure of, Gage didn't look any more pleased to see her than she was to see him.

Great, he was walking right toward her. Maybe she could down her beer and then rush out. No, she wasn’t about to let him think she was running away. She watched as he walked toward her. He definitely had a nice easy stroll. As if he owned the bar.

“Mind if I sit?” he asked, his voice just a little gravelly.

She liked the way he sounded, rough, with just that little bit of an edge. Wow, she must be more tired than she’d thought. She was not going to get caught up in the way Gage walked or talked. She had a feeling this man was going to be trouble. Who the hell was she kidding? She knew damn well he was going to be trouble.

“Be my guest.” She picked up her bottle of beer and took a long, slow drink. It didn’t stop the heat from beginning to build inside her.

The legs of the chair scraped across the floor as he pulled it out. He sat, leaning slightly back, and stared at her for a moment before speaking. "Have you ever been to the mountains, Miss Madigan?"

Was he looking for a fight? “No, is that a pre-requisite for going after the fugitive?”

“It’s not necessary, but it would sure help,” he drawled. “There’s all kinds of bad things in the woods.”

“Are you going to be one of them?” She raised an eyebrow and watched him silently for a moment. If he even thought for one minute that she would walk away from going after his cousin, then he was going to be sadly mistaken. She never had, and never would, back down from anything or anyone.

Gage grinned. Her heart fluttered again. Why the hell did he have to grin? It changed his whole face. He seemed more relaxed, easier to talk to. The next thing she knew, she’d be telling him all of her dark secrets. That damn sure wasn’t going to happen.

“I won’t be your problem, Miss Madigan. Nope, it’ll be the grizzly bears and wolves that you’ll have to watch out for.”

Yeah, she was afraid there was a wolf sitting right in front of her. A wolf in sheriffs clothing.

                                                                

                                                              Click to order or read

                                                                for free in KU

And don't forget to enter our monthly contest!

Romance Gems is celebrating a year of romance. We have a love-ly giveaway for the month of love. (Pardon the pun.) Our February Giveaway includes:

First Prize - $20

Second Prize - $15

Third Prize - $10

Fourth Prize - $5

Enter at the Rafflecopter at the bottom of the blog page here.

 

Best Wishes,

Karen Kelley

www.authorkarenkelley.com